Full list of Albanese's changes
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Ministry changes
- Tony Burke from Workplace Relations to Home Affairs and Immigration
- Clare O’Neil from Home Affairs to Housing
- Andrew Giles from Immigration to Skills and Training
- Julie Collins from Housing to Agriculture
- Murray Watt from Agriculture to Employment and Workplace Relations
- Malarndirri McCarthy to Indigenous Australians
- Pat Conroy promoted to cabinet, Defence Industry and Capability
- Jenny McAllister promoted to Minister for Cities and Emergency Management
Assistant Ministry changes
- Matt Thistlethwaire to Assistant Minister for Immigration
- Tim Ayres to Assistant Minister for Future Made in Australia
- Julian Hill to Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
- Patrick Gorman to Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General
- Ged Kearney to Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health
- Tim Ayres to Assistant Minister for Future Made in Australia
- Josh Wilson to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
- Anthony Chisholm to Assistant Minister for Agriculture
New special envoys
- Peter Khalil to special envoy for social cohesion
- Luke Gosling to special envoy for defence, veterans affairs and the Norther Territory
- Andrew Charlton to special envoy for cybersecurity and digital resilience
Albanese unveils sweeping reshuffle as O'Neil, Giles moved; Burke handed Home Affairs
The news: High profile ministers Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles have been moved to new portfolios as part of a drastic reshaping of the home affairs portfolio, in a sweeping pre-election reshuffle which also sees two new faces promoted to cabinet.
The context: Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced he would revamp his frontbench, a move triggered by long-serving ministers Linda Burney and Brendan O’Connor stepping aside ahead of their retirement at the next federal election.
In a widely-expected move, Albanese confirmed on Sunday that Malarndirri McCarthy would take over Burney’s Indigenous Australians portfolio.
But the prime minister has used O’Connor’s retirement to implement sweeping changes to his frontbench.
Tony Burke will take over as both Home Affairs and Immigration Minister – assuming O’Neil and Giles’ role. That follows controversy over their handling of the fallout from the NZYQ High Court ruling.
O’Neil will take over as Housing Minister, replacing Julie Collins who will become the new Agriculture Minister. Giles, whose position has been particularly under scrutiny, will take over the skills and training portfolio vacated by O’Connor’s retirement.
Further altering the home affairs portfolio, the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation will now report to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, having previously reported to O'Neil. It follows Albanese handing the AFP to Dreyfus' department immediately after the election.
Murray Watt has also been rewarded for his strong performance as Agriculture Minister, taking over Burke’s old employment and workplace relations portfolio.
Pat Conroy has also been added to cabinet, with his defence industry portfolio elevated given the importance of the AUKUS agreement.
McAllister has been promoted to Minister for Cities and Emergency Management, something Albanese said would be aided by her previous roles in climate-related areas.
Albanese also unveiled a number of changes at the assistant minister level, with Julian Hill, Matt Thistlethwaite, Josh Wilson, Ged Kearney and Tim Ayres all being given new responsibilities.
New special envoy roles have been created, with backbenchers Peter Khalil (social cohesion), Luke Gosling (defence, veterans’ affairs, and the Northern Territory), and Andrew Charlton (cybersecurity and digital resilience) assuming new roles.
What they said: Announcing the reshuffle on Sunday, Albanese said: “These combined changes, I think, represent a significant move forward. I would expect that this is the team that I will take to the election when it is held sometime in the future”.
The source: Prime Minister’s press conference.
